Electron-discharge device



Nov. 9 1926.

- V. L. RONCI ELECTRON- DISCHARGE DEVICE Filed Dec. '17 1924 II J l -n w uln mmm n lun Hami Patented Nov. 9, 1926.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

VICTOR L. RONCI, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO WESTERN ELECTRIC CO]!!- PANY, INCORPORATED, OF NEW YORK. N. Y.. A CORPORATION OF YORK.

ELECTRON-DISCHARGE nEvIcE.

Application filed December 17, 1924. Serial No. 756,426.

his invention relates to electron discharge devices and has for an object an improved supporting structure for the electrodes thereof.

According to this invention, the cathode supporting structure-comprises a rod having a bifurcated end which straddles a portion of a collar surrounding an off-set extension from the stem of the enclosing vessel. metallic base is supported at the other end of the rod and carries insulating bushings through which pass conductors for establishing a connection between the leading-in wires and the end of the filament. These conductors are provided with tapered slots in which are arranged the ends of the leading-in wires and the filament, and closely wound wire helices bind the filament to said conductors. A second rod is supported by said metal base and carries at its free end a metallic block from which a plurality offilament hooks are insulatingly supported.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. 1 illustrates an electron discharge device embodying the supporting structures of this invention. r

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of Fig. 1 on the line 2-2 with envelope removed.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail view in crosssection of the filament supporting base.

. Fig. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the filament connector.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view, partly 'dissembled of the filament suspension block.

Fig. 6 illustrates in cross-section, a portion of Fig. 5 on the line 6-6.

Fig. 7 Y is a modified form of filament structure.

The electron discharge device comprises a cup-shaped metal. anode l0, and a glass portion 11, joined together at 12, in accordance with W. G. Houskeeper, No. 1,294,466, February 18, 1919. A reentrant glass stem 13 is fused to the other end of the glass portion 11 and is provided with an eccentric cylindrical extension 14. This extension projects within the glass portion 11 in the same direction as the reentrant stem 13. A 'pair of outwardly extendin tubular members 15 and 16 are fused to t e node of the stem 13. A pairof leading-in wires 17 and 18 are sealed to the outer ends of the members 15 and 16 and extend within the vessel. A

the disclosure in the patent to crimped metallic band or collar 19 is fitted on the glass extension 14 and has its ends 20 i A end. The slot in the rod' 22 is slightly longer than the length of the collar extensions so that a nut 23 may be threaded on the divided ends of the rod and thereby clamp the two halves of the rod together. This arrangement securely clamps the collar on the glass extension 14 and also supports the rod 22 from the angular extensions of the collar. A metallic base 24 oftriangular formation is supported by the rod 22 and is. provided with an aperture through which is passed a threaded metallic rod 25, preferably of a highly refractory material, such as molybdenum. The metallic rod 22 is provided with an internally threaded portion to receive the rod 25 as shown in Fig. 3. The connection of these two members securely clamps the metal base 24 in position. To

prevent a loose connection at this joint, the

metal rod 22 is are welded at 26 to one side of the base 24: and the rod 25 welded to the base at 27.

The metallic base 24 is positioned on the supporting rod 22" so that one corner of the triangular base is in alinement with the glass extension 14 and the remaining corners are in alinement with the outwardly extending tubular members 15 and 16. In said remaining corners of the base 24 are provided threaded apertures to receive the thin metallic sleeves 28. These sleeves are slightly smaller in diameter than the threaded aper tures through which they pass. A threaded tap is inserted in the sleeve 28 and by turning the tap in the sleeve it is possible to arrange a thread in the sleeve so that the thin metal is forced into the threaded portion of the base and rigidly held therein. A tubular bushing or insert 29, of insulating material, preferably lavite, is provided with an external thread, and screwed into the threaded sleeve 28, the ends of the sleeve being spun over the ends of the insulating insert at 30. The insulating insert 29 is provided with an internal thread, to receive the threaded connector 31, which is to be supported in the insulating insert 29 A rigid and easily assembled connection is accomplished by this method.

The connector 31 is provided with an enlarged portion 32, having a tapered slot cut in the longitudinal surface thereof. This slot receives the heavy leading-in wire 17, and a nut 33 rigidly clamps the wire 17 to the connector. The metallic base 24 also carries a hook 34 having an under-cut portion which projects through the base 24. The under-cut portion of the hook 34 provides a shoulder 35, which limits the move-' ment of the hook through the base, while theend of the hook projecting through the base is fused by welding, thereby forming a button 36 on the other side of the base 24 and rigidly fastening the hook 34 in the base.

The n'iolybdenum supporting rod 25 is provided at its free end with an under-cut portion, which receives a metallic block 37, of nickel. The rod 25 projects through a central aperture in the block and has a portion extending beyond the surface of the block 37. The block is rigidly fastened to the rod 25 by means of electric welding. This operation isperformed by passing an electric current through the rod and block of sufiicient magnitude to melt the metals at the interface and weld them together in much the same manner as a spot weld. This operation forms a rigid joint between the nickel block and the molybdenum support and the welding operation forms a molybdennm-nickel alloy between the two members, thereby procuring a tight joint between the two dissimilar metals.

Due to the high temperature of the filament when it is heated, it is necessary to use a highly refractory metal, such as molybdenum, for the supporting rod 25, while the block 37 need not be of the same material, since it is not positioned in the high temperature area. By using nickel for the block 37, it is possible to subject the block to various machine operations which would be extremely costly with a highly refractory metal such as molybdenum. A cylindrical passageway 39 is provided in theblock 37 on each side of the supporting rod 25. This passageway is counter-sunk on one end of the block to provide a seat for the lavite insert 40 which is inserted in the'passageway 39. This insert is provided with a flat section and a cylindrical section at right angles to the flat section. A portion of the flat section projects beyond the surface of the block 37 while the cylindrical section is seated in the counter-sunk block. The sides of the block are flattened at 41 to conform the passageway 39 with the shape of the insert 40, while the edges 42 of the block are spun over the cylindrical portion of the insert 40. A filament hook 43 preferably of molybdenum wire is fastened in each insert 40, in accordance with my copending application, Serial N 0. 634,978, filed April 27, 1923 and entitled Elect1ic discharge devices. The hook extends parallel with the rod 25, toward the metal base 24. A tungsten fila ment 44 is strung over the hooks 43 and the hook 34 and hasthe ends fastened to the threaded connector 31 by a closely wound wire helix 45. The connector 31 is provided with a similar slot as described abovewith respect to the leading-in wire connection. This slot receives the end of the filament 44 and the wire helix 45 is threaded on the connector 31. The wire helix is welded to the rod 31 and filament 44, intermediate the end of the connector 31 and the metal base 24. This arrangement provides a relatively long contact for the filament and the connector and provides a strong mechanical and electrically welded joint. Furthermore, the tungsten filament will not readily break off at the joint, as is common when a nut is welded to the filament and connector.

The grid supporting structure comprises a collar 47, which is erimped, and surrounds the glass stem 13. A number of rods 48 are rigidly fastened to the collar 47 by means of nuts 49 and spacing sleeves 50. The rods are bent at an angle with respect to their supporting portions and are attached to a rigid metallic annulus 51. The joint between the rods and the annulus 51 is accomplished by arc welding the ends of the rod and forming a button thereon, to provide a strong no joint. A plurality of relatively thin metal rods 52 are inserted from the other side of the annulus 51 and are similarly welded to the annulus to form rigid joints. The rods 52 are orientated with respect to the rods 48 105 so that they are equidistant therefrom. The rods 52 extend parallel with the molybdenum supporting rod 25 and carrya wire helix or grid 53, which surrounds the filament and is positioned between the filament 110 44 and the plate 10.

The electrode structure of this invention eliminates to a considerable extent the cumbersome joints between metal members by threading and nuts and provides a structure 115 which will be free from vibration, since there are no threaded connections which will become loose. The invention contemplates electrode supports which may be inserted in restricted spaces and the improvements de- 120 scribed herein may be modified in various ways. Forinstance. the filament structure may be modified as shown in Fig. 7 in which the supporting rod 25 forms one terminal of the filament which is attached to the upper 125 end thereof and the other end is fastened to a. connector in the same manner as described in connection with Fig. 1. In this modification, the filament is formed into a spiral surrounding the rod 25 and is concentrically arranged with respect to the grid 53. Various other changes may be made in the structure without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

\Vhat is claimed is:

1. An electron discharge device comprising a tubular member, a collar surrounding said tubular member, and an electrode support projecting from said. collar, said support having a bifurcated member straddling a portion of said collar.

2. An electron discharge device compris ing an enclosing vessel having a stem, an oil-set tubular member projecting from said stem, a collar surrounding said tubular member, and an electrode support projecting from said collar, said support being attached to said collar concentric with said stem.

3. An electron discharge device comprising an enclosing vessel having a stem, an off-set tubular member projecting from said stem, a collar surrounding said tubular member having opposed angular extensions, aforked member receiving said extensions, clamping means on said member and an electrode supported by said member.

4. An electron discharge device compris ing an enclosing vessel having a stem, an oif-set tubular member projecting from said stem, a collar surrounding said tubular member having opposed angular extensions, a metal rod having a slotted portion engaging said extensions, and means for clamping said slotted portion whereby said collar is clamped to said tubular member.

5. An electron discharge device comprising an enclosing vessel having a stem, an off-set tubular member projecting from said stem, a corrugated collar surroundingsaid extension, said collar having a pair of angular end portions, an electrode support, said support having an apertured metal base, a metallic rod joined to said base, said rod having a slot adapted to receive said collar portions, means for clamping said slotted rod, and an electrode supported from said base by said rod.

6. An electron discharge device comprising an enclosing vessel having a stem, a collar surrounding said stem, a set of rods extending from said collar, an apertured annular supporting member, said rods being fused in said member, a second set of rods projecting from said member and positioned intermediate the points of support of said first set of rods, and a wire helix surrounding said second set of rods.

7. An electron discharge device comprising an enclosing vessel having a stem, a collar surrounding said stem, an annular supporting member, a plurality of sets of metal rods projecting from either side of said member, one set being orientated with respect to the other, said rods being fused in said mem ber, means for attaching one set of rods to said collar, and means for supporting a helical electrode from said other set.

8. An electron discharge device comprising an enclosing vessel having a stem, an off-set tubular member projecting from said stem, metallic collars surrounding said stem and tubular member, a cylindrical electrode supported from one of said collars, a metallic standard supported from said other collar coaxial with said cylindrical electrode, a base supported on said standard intermediate the ends thereof, rigid connectors passing through said base, said connectors being arranged in said base opposite said tubular member, and a cathode supported by said connectors and said standard.

9. An electron discharge device comprising a vessel having a stem, a tubular extension on said stem, a collar surrounding said extension, a rod supported from said collar,

an apertured metallic block attached to said rod, a reinforced insulating bushing rigidly held in said block, a metallic connector extending through said bushing, and an electrode carried by said rod and joined to said connector.

10., An electron discharge device comprising a vessel having a stem, a tubular extension on said stem, a collar surrounding said extension, a rod supported from said collar, an apertured metal block attached to said rod, a thin threaded sleeve held in said block, an externally threaded inner lining of refractor material in said sleeve, a connector rigid y supported by said lining, and a cathode joined to one end thereof.

11. An electron discharge device comprising a vessel having a stem, a tubular extension on said stem, a collar surrounding said extension, a rod supported from said collar, an apertured metallic block attached to said rod, an insulating member in said block, said member having a threaded metallic covering, a rigid connecting member in said insulating member, a leading-in Wire joined to one end of said connecting member, and a cathode connected to the other end thereof.

12. An electron discharge device comprising a vessel having a stem, a tubular extension on said stem, a collar surrounding said extension, a rod supported from said collar, an apertured metallic block attached to said rod, an insulating bushing, a thin metal cylinder surrounding said bushing, the edges thereof being spun over said bushing, means for rigidly supporting said sleeve in said block, a rigid metal member passing through said sleeve, and a filament connected to one end of said member.

13. An electron discharge device compris ing a vessel having a stem, at standard supported from said stem, threaded connectors insulatingly supported from said standard, said connectors having a longitudinal slot, a

Wound Wire helix threaded over' said fila-- ment and connector.

14. Anelectron discharge device comprising a vessel having a stem, a standard supported from said stem, a pair of leading-111 wires passing through said stem, threaded connectors attached to said wires and insulatingly supported from said standard, said connectors having longitudinal slots, a filament supported by said standard, and a closely wound Wire helix clamping said filament to said connector, said helix being fused to said connector at the end of said filament.

15. An electron discharge device comprising a vessel having a stem, a tubular extension on said stem, a metallic standard supported from said extension, a pair of apertured metallic blocks rigidly fastened to said standard, insulating bushings in said blocks, one of said blocks having constricted portions to prevent movement of said bushings, and an electrode insulatingly supported between said blocks.

16. An electron discharge device comprising a vessel having a stem, a tubular extension on said stem, a metallic standard supported from said extension, an apertured metallic block fused to the end of said standard,

an insulating insert, said insert being provided with a flange at one end adapted to fitin said block, and means to prevent the movement of said insert, in said block.

17. An electron discharge device comprising a vessel having a stem, a tubular extension on said stem, a metallic standard supported from said extension, an apertured metal block attached to said standard, said block having a reduced portion near one end, a perforated insulating carrier positioned in said block and projecting from said reduced portion, a flange on said carrier, said flange being flush with the other end of said block, the edges thereof being crimped over said carrier, and a suspension member fastened in said carrier.

18. An electron discharge device comprising a vessel having a stem, a tubular exten sion on said stem, a metal standard supported from said extension, an insulating insert having a fiat portion and a circular portion, a metal receptacle for said insert, said receptacle being attached to said standard, and means on said receptacle preventing the movement of said insert.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 11th day of of December A. l). 1924:. 1

VICTOR L. RON CI. 

